Secretary of Interior Doug BurgumThe US Department of the Interior today unveiled a draft proposal that would reopen the vast majority of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) to oil and gas development, in a significant move aimed at boosting domestic energy production.
The draft environmental analysis, released for public review and comment, recommends the selection of a new alternative based on the Trump administration’s 2020 Integrated Activity Plan. If adopted, it would open up to 82% of the 23-million-acre reserve, an area roughly the size of Indiana, for leasing, exploration, and development.
The plan aligns with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14153 and Secretary’s Order 3422, both of which direct the Department to maximize use of Alaska’s energy resources to enhance American energy and economic security.
“This plan is about creating more jobs for Americans, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and tapping into the immense energy resources the National Petroleum Reserve was created to deliver,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re cutting red tape and restoring commonsense policies that ensure responsible development and good stewardship of our public lands.”
Originally designated for petroleum exploration in the wake of the 1970s energy crisis, the reserve remains a strategic national asset. The Bureau of Land Management oversees the area under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act, which requires a competitive leasing program that also considers surface protections.
The draft analysis reflects updated environmental and industry data, and supports rescinding a 2024 rule that had curtailed leasing opportunities in the reserve. That rule, introduced under the Biden administration, had placed restrictions on leasing across large portions of the reserve to address environmental and climate concerns.
The BLM is now seeking public input on the proposal, which could shape the final update to the Integrated Activity Plan governing future activity in the reserve. The public comment period is open through July 1, 2025, and comments can be submitted through the BLM’s National NEPA Register by selecting the “Participate Now” option.
This development marks another step in the Trump administration’s broader push to revive domestic energy production and dismantle regulations it considers obstacles to energy independence.